Vaccinations
WestsideMed
Urgent Care & Primary Care Practice located in Atlanta, GA
Thanks to vaccinations, it’s possible to reduce the risk of many contagious illnesses, including COVID-19, the seasonal flu, and polio. At WestsideMed, the team offers vaccinations to children and adults. If it’s time to update your vaccinations, don’t wait to book a visit. To make an appointment at the practice in Atlanta, Georgia, call the office or schedule online.
Vaccinations Q&A
What are vaccinations?
Vaccinations are a crucial component of preventive care. They train your body’s immune system to identify and destroy potentially harmful invaders, including fungi, viruses, and bacteria.
Vaccinations won’t necessarily keep you from getting sick, but they can significantly lower the risk. The more people who get vaccinated, the more difficult it is for a particular pathogen to spread. When you receive a vaccine, you’re protecting yourself, your loved ones, and the community.
How do vaccinations work?
Vaccinations work by teaching your immune system to defend itself against harmful pathogens. For this to occur, you must first be exposed to an inactive or “safe” version of a particular disease. For example, some vaccines contain weakened pathogens while others contain dead pathogens or proteins from a pathogen.
When a vaccine enters your body, it triggers the production of antibodies –– proteins that protect your immune system. The more antibodies your immune system creates, the less likely you are to experience severe side effects of a contagious illness.
What are some of the most common vaccinations?
At WestsideMed, the team offers a variety of vaccinations, including:
- COVID-19
- Seasonal flu
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Pneumonia
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Polio
- Meningitis
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
The type of vaccinations that will benefit you most depend on your age, medical history, and the frequency at which you visit the doctor. Following an in-office exam and a review of your records, your WestsideMed provider can make recommendations that align with your needs.
Are vaccinations safe?
Yes. Vaccinations are safe and usually well-tolerated. Before they’re released to the general public, vaccines undergo extensive testing and review by regulatory bodies like the FDA and the CDC. Some people do experience minor side effects, but they’re typically mild and often resolve within 24-48 hours.
Do vaccinations present any side effects?
Some vaccinations present minor side effects, but they affect everyone differently. Following your visit to WestsideMed, it’s normal to experience:
- Pain, redness, or swelling
- Muscle weakness
- A low-grade fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
To minimize any discomfort, the team at WestsideMed recommends taking over-the-counter pain medication or applying an ice pack to the injection site.
If it’s been more than a year since you last updated your vaccinations, make an appointment at WestsideMed by calling the office to speak with a caring member of the administrative staff or scheduling online.